Theft Crimes Lawyer In Inglewood, CA

Your life can be thrown off-balance by a theft crimes charge. The court system in Inglewood can punish you with high fines and time in jail or prison if you are convicted of any kind of theft or robbery. You can improve your odds of winning your case by getting help as soon as possible from the Inglewood theft crimes lawyers at the Simmrin Law Group.

Petty Theft Charges in Inglewood

Petty theft is the least severe theft crime in California. You can be charged with petty theft if you are accused of stealing items worth less than $950. Note that there are exceptions to this guideline. You can be charged with a more serious offense if you steal directly from someone.

You can also face more severe charges if you are accused of stealing certain items, including firearms, horse, motor vehicles, and certain food items. Petty theft convictions can lead to 6 months in jail and fines of $1,000.

There are several crimes that count as petty theft in Inglewood, though they are given different names in the court system. You will face the same penalties if you are charged with:

Shoplifting

Embezzlement

Larceny

Theft by Trick

Theft by Fraud

Inglewood’s Charges for Grand Theft

Charges of grand theft are punished more severely than petty theft in Inglewood. Grand theft charges apply if someone steals more than $950. Individuals can also be charged with grand theft for stealing only $250 of certain objects, including:

Fish and Shellfish

Aquacultural Products

Domestic Fowls

Some Fruits and Vegetables

You could be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony if you are accused of grand theft. Generally, individuals who steal firearms or motor vehicles are charged with a felony, which leads to a harsher sentence than a misdemeanor.

Handling a petty theft or a grand theft charge on your own can make matters worse. An experienced criminal defense lawyer in Inglewood can help you build a defense so you’re ready to face the charges brought against you.

California’s Robbery Charges

Charges of robbery apply if someone uses fear or force to steal from another individual. Physically harming or threatening another person to get their money can lead to robbery charges.

The court system always charges robbery as a felony, however, not every robbery case is handled in the same way. You could face charges for first degree robbery if you are accused of robbing someone in an inhabited structure or near an ATM after they used it. You can also be charged with first degree robbery if you steal from someone in a motor vehicle.

Acts of first degree robbery are considered very severe. You will face harsher penalties for these acts than you would for other types of robbery, which are referred to as second degree robbery. Any robbery conviction can lead to years in prison.

Theft of Motor Vehicles in Inglewood

Inglewood’s court system handles the theft of a motor vehicle very severely. You will face special charges if you are accused of stealing a car, truck, van, or other motor vehicle. There are two charges used to prosecute these cases:

Unlawful Taking of a Vehicle

You can be charged with unlawful taking of a vehicle if you steal a car but intend to return it. The court system sometimes uses the term “joyriding” to refer to this act. Joyriding can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony and it is usually less severe than a charge of grand theft auto.

The difference between grand theft auto and joyriding is often very thin. Sometimes the court system will charge minors with no previous record with joyriding. You could also be given a joyriding charge as a part of a plea bargain if you were originally charged with grand theft auto.

Grand Theft Auto

Grand theft auto is the more severe charge used for the theft of a motor vehicle. You can be charged with grand theft auto if you took a vehicle and intended to keep it. A conviction for grand theft auto can lead to 3 years in jail and fines of $10,000. Your punishment could be more severe depending on the value of the stolen motor vehicle.

You Can Fight Back with an Inglewood Theft Crimes Lawyer

The laws surrounding theft crimes in Inglewood can be convoluted. The Simmrin Law Group can help you understand your legal situation while building you a case. Our theft crime lawyers in Inglewood have the knowledge and experience you need to handle the accusations brought against you. We’re ready to start working on your case right now with a FREE consultation.

Find out how we can help by calling (310) 997-4688 or filling out our contact form.